CONVERGE and TNT extended their winning streak in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Thursday night.
The FiberXers overcame a slow start to nip the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 116-105, while the Tropang Giga dispatched the Blackwater Bossing, 109-93, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
READ Gilas matter out of the way in Heading’s first meeting with Cone
It was the second straight victory for Converge which improved to 4-2, same with TNT which climbed back to .500 for the first time and now carry an even 2-2 slate.
Blackwater and Phoenix are currently tied for second to the last at 1-5.
Now, here are the takeaways in the league’s final playdate at the NAS for the year 2024.
1. WELCOME BACK, ‘THE BLUR’ – the TNT heart and soul, Jayson Castro, finally suited up for the first time this conference and made his presence felt with 16 points, three steals, and two assists to help the team end the year on a winning note. Although still expected to under minutes restriction by the Tropang Giga coaching staff, the return of the veteran leader could signal the resurgence of the reigning Governors’ Cup champion which got off to a slow start after suffering back-to-back losses to kick off its campaign. The team is expected to get better as another old hand in big man Kelly Williams is set to come on board again by January of next year.
2. THE ‘OTHER ROOKIE’ MAKES HEADS TURN AT CONVERGE – quietly, a rookie player is making a difference with the FiberXers and his name is not Justine Baltazar. Shooting guard Jordan Heading has been a valuable addition to the team’s campaign in the mid-season conference just as he did in the come-from-behind win against Phoenix. The 28-year-old Fil-Australian finished with a team-high of 21 points – along with import Cheick Diallo – including a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line. While he was 6-of-16 from the field (2-of-7 from three-point line), he made up for it by dishing off six assists, three rebounds, and a team-high five steals. Heading’s heads-up plays will serve the FiberXers in good stead especially if they make it to the playoffs.
3. IS THIS GETTING TO BE A HABIT FOR PHOENIX? – the Fuel Masters were back to their old, bad habit of taking a huge lead only to lose the game late as was the case against the FiberXers. The team got off to a fiery start and took off for a 20-2 lead in the first quarter behind the huge 16-point job of import Donovan Smith. But as in its previous losses against Meralco (up by 23) and defending champion San Miguel (led by 16), Phoenix lost steam and suffered yet a heartbreaking loss. The Fuel Masters could have been at 4-2 right now had they managed to convert those three close losses into victories.
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